Name | Aaron Lopez
Hometown | Chicago, Ill.
Degree Program | Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio Communications
Class of | 2006

Name | Esteban Shedd
Hometown | Chicago, Ill.
Degree Program | Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio Communications
Class of | 2005

From the Word

D.L. Moody’s heart for the inner city continues through men like Aaron Lopez and Esteban Shedd who formed a friendship in 2004 while studying radio communications at Moody Bible Institute. “We have such a deep love for Chicago,” said Esteban. “Our hearts burn for our neighborhoods and we long to see them come to know Jesus Christ.”

As children, in addition to seeing Christ’s transforming power in their family’s lives they also were members of churches that were making an impact throughout the city of Chicago. In their late teens both came to eventually realize inner city ministry was their calling, but they were unsure as to where the Lord would lead them with their musical passions to receive ministry training.

Even though his parents graduated from Moody (Jaime and Jan, class of 1972) and his father was instrumental in starting Moody Radio Esperanza, Esteban explained, “I wanted to launch from a firm foundation that God was leading me to go to Moody, not just because I had so much exposure to the school.”

For Aaron, he decided to delay college after graduating high school to weigh his options. His father Danny, a 1995 Moody graduate and local pastor, received a call one day from the Admissions department at Moody seeing if anyone in his youth group was interested in attending. Aaron decided to tour the campus and soon after he applied and was accepted. “Looking back, I can’t specifically explain why I said ‘yes’, but I know it was the providence of God that led me to Moody.”

Their friendship while students quickly developed into a gospel partnership, performing hip-hop music with several other guys in the band, Roberto Ramone at churches, local venues and even in Europe for various festivals. “The teachers and the classes [at Moody] were amazing,” Esteban added, “and I had the chance to meet men like Aaron who I could go through the bumps and victories of life, sharpening each other in the process.”

To Life

In addition to serving in their respective local churches, both are now on staff at Grip Outreach for Youth in Chicago where they share the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ with at-risk youth in the city, as well as mentor and plug them into a local church.

Also, they now perform nationally and internationally with the four-man Christian hip-hop group, Alert. “The band was birthed through Aaron and me seeking the Lord’s direction through times of fasting and praying for almost two years,” explained Esteban. “We didn’t want to start the band simply because we’ve been doing music for so long, but because God was leading us.”

While others in their industry are chasing after worldly success, Alert remains Kingdom-focused. “The heart of Alert is ministry and the lyrics are Christ-centered,” they both stressed. “We never neglect the core of the gospel.” On stage they regularly share their testimonies and even address abortion, violence and other tough issues facing the inner city—their mission field.

Recently, God has given them the unique opportunity to be a part of the collaborative project, Streetlights, the first urban audio Bible. Featuring the Word of God read by top Christian hip-hop recording artists, it includes a dynamic musical score influenced by the cultures of the inner city. Its aim is to reach people of all literacy levels so they can hear, understand and internalize the Word of God.

“Many inner city students can barely read, and if they can, they can’t understand what they’re reading,” explained Aaron. Starting fall 2011 Streetlights will be released in downloadable sections for free, along with curriculum and video teaching. “This is more than just another Bible product, we are looking to equip workers on the frontlines doing tough ministry for Christ,” he added. “We want those in the inner city to be able to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.”